Sunday, March 15, 2015

In our Sunday Night class, we are studying about the Kingdom Woman (by Chrystal Evans Hurst), and this evening, the lesson is again on the Legacy of a Kingdom Woman. In the video and lesson, Chrystal's mom shares stories of her mother and grandmother and the legacy they left to her to be able to be content with little, and to not let emotions be governed by the situation.

Let me tell you about a legacy that I have watched this week. This week, my husband's great-uncle passed away unexpectedly. It was very tragic, and I knew that this family, who had already been through such loss just not long ago, would be devastated. Going over to Mamaw's house (that's southern for Grandmother) I saw sadness, yes, but I also saw great strength. She had lost her brother, but she would see him again.

Whenever Mamaw answered a phone call, she told how very blessed she was. When she answered people's questions, she did so with politeness and courage. Another close family member at some point said 'I just can't do this' and her reply was this:

'You are just going to have to! You are just going to have to pick up and go. You have no choice, I have no choice. I am still going, even after I lost the other ones (she has also lost a husband, and son). I have no regrets. I know where he is.'

She told a cousin, that God would get her through. You see, Mamaw knew Somebody, and that Somebody had never forsaken her and He wasn't about to now. I heard the words of Job in Mamaw's attitude and words:

"The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." Job 1:21

Oh that I could be as strong as she! Her strength is not her own, and she will tell you that. Her strength is found in Jesus Christ, her Savior. She knows she will see her brother again, and she hangs on to that promise.

Do you know the Sombody? The God of Creation? Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior?

What kind of Legacy are you leaving for others? I pray I leave half the legacy Mamaw gave me!

Sunday, March 1, 2015

My son is going through teething, and a good nights sleep is becoming a distant memory. Sometimes I think about how it was before I was a mom...

Before I was a mom, my house was really clean. I didn't think it was, but it was!Before I was a mom, a shower was a necessity, not a privilege.Before I was a mom, laundry was never on the couch. I had made myself a rule that I would always have the front of the house free of laundry, now it's the best way for me to get it done.Before I was a mom, what worried me at night was what I might do the next day, or perhaps what someone thought about me. Now I worry if my son is breathing, in pain, hot, cold, and ask myself if I am a bad mom because I do this, or that. Before I was a mom, I got 8 hours of sleep...8 hours!! Last night I had probably less than 4 broken hours.Before I was a mom, I loved to do different things to my semi-long hair. Now I feel pretty dressed up in a ponytail. Before I was a mom, my husband and I went on a date night weekly. Now, we still do that, but with a 5 month old that may, or may not allow the said date night to be longer than 5 minutes.

This sounds depressing, I know. But let me tell you some more things about before I was a mom.

Before I was a mom, I never knew how happy I would be to see my son smile, laugh, sit up, etc. Before I was a mom, I never had someone raise their hands to me, because they wanted me, and only me. Before I was a mom, I never voluntarily stayed awake just to look at the sweet thing laying beside my bed.Before I was a mom, I never knew how much I needed to trust God. To simply put things into His hands, because I have no control over the situation.Before I was a mom, I never knew this strange new kind of love I have for my son. I look into his face, and I would do absolutely anything for him. It also made me realize just how much love God must have for us!Before I was a mom, I never knew how much I would love being a mom!

I am so thankful the Lord let me be a mom. Some days I wish I could just get one more hour of sleep, or that I had a half hour just to clean the bathroom, but I wouldn't trade these past 6 months for all the sleep, or the cleanest house in the world!